PHOENIX — Arizona’s largest electric utility is giving an inside look at how artificial intelligence is being used to help detect wildfires earlier across the state.
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On June 16, Arizona Public Service (APS) and the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management will showcase a network of AI-powered smoke detection cameras designed to identify potential wildfires and alert fire officials more quickly.
The demonstration will take place at APS’s Wildfire Operations and Preparedness Response Center in Phoenix, where officials will show how the technology works and how it supports wildfire response efforts.
Among the cameras featured is a newly installed unit atop Thompson Peak in Scottsdale. The camera monitors part of the wildland-urban interface, where homes and neighborhoods border natural desert areas that can be vulnerable to wildfire.
According to APS, the camera operates around the clock and uses artificial intelligence to detect signs of smoke and heat. When potential wildfire activity is identified, alerts can be sent to APS fire mitigation teams and fire dispatch centers for review and response.
Officials say the technology serves as an additional set of eyes in high-risk areas and is part of the utility’s broader wildfire mitigation strategy.
The demonstration will include a live feed from the Thompson Peak camera and the real-time information it provides to fire mitigation teams.
The event comes as Arizona faces increasing wildfire risk amid hot, dry conditions and a delayed start to the summer monsoon season.
APS said the AI-powered cameras are designed to complement reports from the public and first responders, helping improve situational awareness and support faster decision-making when smoke is detected.
Officials with APS and the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management are expected to discuss how the technology fits into broader wildfire preparedness efforts and how agencies coordinate when alerts are received.
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Wildfire Go-Kit:
Residents in wildfire-prone areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them of they are evacuated from their homes, especially as Arizona residents are beginning to see early widespread fire activity throughout the state.
An emergency supply kit should be put together long before a wildfire or another disaster occurs. Make sure to keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that residents near a disaster store emergency supplies in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack, or other containers.
Residents should make sure they have the necessities, such as three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food, the NFPA said. A first-aid kit, prescription medications, contact lenses, and non-prescription drugs should also be taken into account.
Copies of any important family documents, including insurance policies, identification, bank account records, and emergency contact numbers should also be taken and put into a waterproof, portable container in your kit, the NFPA said.
The association lists other items that would help in a disaster, including:
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Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
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Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio to receive up-to-date information
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Dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter the air
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Matches in a waterproof container
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Complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container
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Signal flare
The entire NFPA checklist of supplies can be found here.
Those in Arizona who have been affected by a wildfire or other natural disasters can seek assistance from the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-842-7349.
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